Lost for more than fifteen hundred years, the Gospel of Mary is the only existing early Christian gospel written in the name of a woman. Karen L. King tells the story of the recovery of this remarkable gospel and offers a new translation. This brief narrative presents a radical interpretation of Jesus' teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge. It rejects his suffering and death as a path to eternal life and exposes the view that Mary Magdalene...

"This provocative book, based on analyses of primary sources, examines the role of the feminine deity in religious piety." "Goddess religion was widespread in the world of the Bible and is reflected in many biblical texts. With skill and insight, the field's finest scholars discuss such questions as: What is the relationship between goddesses, their appearances in myth and ritual, and the social roles and practices of women? How can such religious...

For nearly two millennia, despite repeated prohibitions, Christian women have preached. Some have preached in official settings; others have found alternative routes for expression. Prophecy, teaching, writing, and song have all filled a broad definition of preaching. This anthology, with essays by an international group of scholars from several disciplines, investigates the diverse voices of Christian women who claimed the authority to preach and...